Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-10-19
AT SING SING PRISON.
Some ofthe People and Some of Their
Ways.

A noticeable feature of the conduct
of the prisoners is that in spite OF the
rigid discipline that prevails there is
little apparent recognition of authority.
Passing through the wards and build
ings Keeper COnnaughton and the
visitor met several convicts walking
about, generally doing an errand for a
superintendent or under keeper. One
only In the number tipped his cap at
sight of the principal keeper, and most
of them passed by without looking at
him. Now aud then one stepped up to
him, and when this was the case the
sole show of Difference, with one excep-
ton, was a respectable waiting to get
some sign of recognition from the
officer. This he gave without cere-
mony, hardly nod, usually simple
glance at the convict.
Very few men were at work in the
laundry. They stood or sat in their
places of labor, quietly resting. Some
OF them were reading.
1.-THE prisoners work about seven
hours a day. said Mr.. Connaughton.
1.-The general plan is TO give each one a
stint 10 perform, and when that is
done he has the rest of the shop time
to himself. This he may put INTO
loafing or reading. but not the slight
est fraction of liberty of movement Is
allowed. No one Can walk IN tue yard
without orders, and there is no such
thing here as half holiday, when the
prisoners have the freedom of the yard
to play games or lark about, as Is the
custom in some Massachusetts pri-
sons"
Mr.. Cosnaughton expressed great
10 ha ~ L I'm aI
at the laundry. He thought there was
no concern in the country that could
do any better. While he was pointing
to great piles of spotless linen and
highly polished shirt bosoms, a boyish
looking man, with one of the brightest,
pleasantest faces imaginable, came
walking briskly across the floor. He
seemed 10 be energy itself, and as cheer
ful as a schoolboy with holiday. He
smiled all over his face when Mr.. Con-
naughton spoke to him, and continued
his walk with an elastic step.
81 spoke TO that man." said the
keeper in a low tone, $50 that you
might take notice of him. That was
Alderman McQuade."
The next building visited was the
shoe factory. a feature of the prison
which excItes Mr.. Connaughton' IS
pride even more than the laundry. The
triumphs of modern invention are there
and manipulated by skillful workmen.
A few OF the prisoners had not COM
pleted their stints, and were still at
work OH the noisy machines. On each
floor file of prisoners, huddled close
together, was approaching a water
faucet. Each convict had under his
arm a wooden bucket, and as he came
tc the faucet he filed 1t with water,
turned aside, and placing the bucket on
the floor, washed his face and hands
thoroughly. This done, they returned
to their machines and idled. Mr. Con-
naughton delighted to show off the
capacity of the men and the machines.
and that he had his favorltes was mad e
evident by the celebrity with which GER
tain conv1cts at his approach Jumped
up from their seats and set their ma
| chimes in motion. 1t was undoubtedly
the machines and not the men that
were favoriteS. In each case where he
had the convict exhibit his work he re
quired no more than two or three turns
to be made, and then passed on. A large
heavy machine stood in a corner. and
as the workman saw Mr.. Connaughton
coming with visitor he took a partly
finished boot from pile, set the ma.
chine a-rattling, and in an instant held
up the boot with heel that had been
put on in less time than it takes to read
about 1t.
with that machine he heels 500
boots day." said the keeper proudly.
The bakery was next inspected.
where ten barrels OF -four a day are
made into bread. Each barrel make